Amongst a pantheon of great Czech composers it is Bedřich Smetana who is revered as the musical personification of his country’s national spirit and the founder of its modern musical character. Composed after the onset of Smetana’s incurable deafness, Má vlast (My Fatherland) is an unprecedented cycle of six related symphonic poems that evoke ancient Czech legends and celebrate the majestic beauty of the country’s landscapes. Acclaimed with “unending storms of applause” at its 1882 premiere, Má vlast reflects the unique characteristics that form the living heart and soul of the Czech nation.

This VOX Audiophile Edition recording was first released in 1975 as a stereo/quadraphonic 2-LP set catalogue QTV-S 34619/20 coupled with the Overture and dances from The Bartered Bride, subsequently appearing on disc as part of VOX Box CDX-5105 alongside Holst’s The Planets. This acclaimed recording has now been given a new lease of life in our Naxos edition by going back to the original Elite Recordings master tapes, which have been newly transferred to disc in 192 kHz/24-bit high definition sound.


Founded in 1880, the St Louis Symphony is the second-oldest orchestra in the US and is widely considered one of the world’s finest, with its recordings having been honored with six GRAMMY Awards and 56 GRAMMY nominations over the years.

A native of Prague, Walter Susskind was a leading conductor in the UK just after the Second World War, performing throughout Europe as an acclaimed guest conductor. He held the post of music director of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1968 to 1975.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

“This performance by Walter Susskind of Bedřich Smetana’s set of descriptive tone poems has remained a favourite recording of many listeners… Maestro Susskind’s way with the work is elegant and refined, much as we might find a Marriner or a Mackerras approaching the score.” – Classical Candor

“Conducted by Walter Susskind, rarely has a composition portrayed such beauty, adventure, peril, and glory as the St. Louis Symphony’s interpretation of Bedřich Smetana’s Má vlast.” – rockian.com.au